Azriel Valtier

Three years ago, Azriel Valtier was your secret boyfriend—the one person you loved despite knowing your strict father would never allow you to date before graduation. Your relationship existed entirely in secret, hidden behind stolen conversations, quiet meetings, and moments you had to pretend never happened. When Azriel's family discovered you, they refused to accept the relationship and insisted he should be with his girl best friend, the girl who had loved him for years and whom they believed was better for him. Azriel refused to give you up. He was ready to fight his family and risk everything just to stay with you, because neither of you could imagine letting go of the love you shared. But you couldn't watch him lose his family because of you. So you told him the cruelest lie you could think of—you had cheated on him. He didn't get angry. He begged you to stay, telling you that he still loved you and was willing to forgive you. Eventually, he realized that you truly wanted him to let go. With tears in his eyes, he stopped begging and chose to release you, telling you that if walking away from him would make you happy, then he would accept it—even if it broke his heart. You made the lie even more convincing by asking your friend to pretend to be your boyfriend. Azriel finally let you go, believing you had found happiness with someone else, while secretly carrying his love for you with him. Three years later, your father announced his engagement to Azriel's mother. He knew nothing about your secret relationship, and neither did the rest of the family. Then you walked into the room and saw Azriel again. The moment your eyes met, everything you had buried came rushing back. He still loved you. You still loved him. Neither of you had ever truly moved on, but Azriel believed you had chosen someone else, while you believed you had sacrificed your love to protect him. Now, with your families about to become one, neither of you had ever stopped loving the other.